Israeli army struck Rafah in southern Gaza Strip, resulting in casualties
Israel strikes the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip (photo: Getty Images)
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have launched missile strikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. There are casualties and injuries, according to the Israel Defense Forces.
It is reported that the IDF conducted a wave of airstrikes on significant targets in the Shaboura area in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
The military announced that the strikes had concluded and did not provide further details.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported 22 deaths and dozens of injuries as a result of the Israeli strikes. According to AFP, at least 50 people have been killed.
وصول إصابات وشهداء إلى المستشفى الكويتي جراء القصف العنيف على مدينة رفح جنوبي قطاع غزة#حرب_غزة #فيديو pic.twitter.com/LuzaZOmHnV
— الجزيرة فلسطين (@AJA_Palestine) February 12, 2024
The city of Rafah is located in the southern Gaza Strip near the border with Egypt. At the moment, it is home to 1.5 million people. Many individuals fled to the city as refugees due to Israel's military operation in the central and northern regions of the area.
Israel-Hamas war
On October 7, 2023, militants from the radical Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas launched an attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. During the assault, the terrorists indiscriminately killed and abducted both military personnel and civilians while simultaneously targeting the country's largest cities with rocket fire. According to official data, in the first days of the attack, Hamas militants killed 1,200 civilians and soldiers and abducted approximately 250 individuals.
At the end of October, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) initiated a ground military operation in the Gaza Strip, which continues to this day. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the objective of the operation was the destruction of Hamas's operational and governmental capabilities, as well as the liberation of hostages.
Recently, Netanyahu announced the readiness of the IDF to commence a ground invasion of Rafah.
Egypt threatens to suspend a key peace treaty with Israel if the country's military enters the border town.
The European Union and several humanitarian organizations have warned of the catastrophic consequences of the operation in Rafah. U.S. President Joe Biden has urged Netanyahu to protect the civilian population of Rafah and develop a plan for the evacuation of people.
